The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-03-10
AN AFFAIR OF HONOR.
It Was Settled to the Satisfaction
of All

Young Eerscuil had Just received his
commission as Lieutenant in cavalry
regiment garrIsoned at Metz. Verseuil
was rich, handsome and courageous.
His epaulcttes, the sword which cleaned
at his SIDE, and the uniform which set
of his fine figure so admirably. thrilled
him with joyful anticipation. But now
the time has arrived for him to join his
regiment. and he must BID farewell, per
haps forever, TO his dear, sweet Ernest
inc, whom he loves more than fame,
more than life, almost more than honor.
Ernestine resided at Chalons with her
mother, Madame de Barville, their mod
est establishment being under the
charge of one cd servant These two
ladies were interesting through their
merits, and also on account of their sit
nation. VIII ch was unfortunate. Ernest
Inc embroidered in secret, in order TO
procure for her mother those Injuries to
which she had formerly been accus-
toned, and which she now found neccs-
sary.
Nerseuil saw Ernestine and could not
help loving one so amiable and beauti-
full. He was generally admired and
esteemed, and Madame de Barville saw
no reason to forbid his attentions, cs-
pecially Is the young man was entire
master of his own actions and fortune,
and had fully explained his intentions.
However, Madame de Barville, a lady
of prudence and delicacy, cOunseleI
some delay .My dear ,Fersauil, " she
said, ''you should not, without thorough
consideration, thus bind yourself for
life. OF course we feel deeply honored
by your love for Ernestine, but. al
though poor, / could not take adyan-
tage of your ineXper;ence, to assure to
my child a position which you might
enc day regret having given. her. a
career of distinction lies before YOU
Serve your country and your King, and
when you understand your sentiments
and find that your mind approves them,
Z will not oppose 4 love intensified BY
tine" Verseuil, with the most heart
felt emotion, assured Madame de Bar
.viiso 1nae his "arcction for Frnestin"
you'd endure while life remained.
During his Journey to Metz he thought
constantly Of Ernestine. On his arrival
Re was welcomed with the utmost cor
diality by all the officers of the regi-
ment. This reception flattcred his self
love, and his spirits, which had been de-
pressed since his parting from Ernest
inc, recovered something OF their nat
ural gayety. In the evening he attended
a military banquet. The repast was
excellent. the wines of the best, and that
disregard of conventjonalities prevailed
which is always noticeable in soldiers
gatherings. Soon the mirth became eX-
cessive. The spirits of the guests
sparkled like the wine which flowei I'M
ceasingly, They strove to intoNicate the
newcomer, who thought himself obliged
to respond to every toast.
Nerseuil, unaccuStomed to this r;otous
kind of life, began to lose his self-con-
troi, and ere long was so far gone as to
know nothing of what he said or did.
Excited by the champagne and
the jests of his friends, his reck-
1eSsness soon passed the bounds of
propr ETY.. Facing him at the same
table was an old officer, who, though
seventy-siX years of age, still held only
the position of Lieutenant. This was
the Chevalier de Montluc, worthy
man full of honor and simplicity, but
perhaps, a little peculiar in dress and
manner. Throughout his fifty years of
seevice he had been adored by the
officers of his regiment and had won
the respected all although poverty had
always kept him in an inferior rank.
The Chevalier de Montluc smiled in
diligently at the talk of the young men,
and replied pleasantly to their railleries
so long as they rema ned within proper
bounds The, almost rustic simplicity
of his appearance struck the muddled
fancy of young Verseuil, and he adj
dressed some impertinent remarks to this
respectable officer, Forgetting. his age,
and not vet aware of his merits. As
tOnished that a youth and a stranger
should accost him with such unwar-
rantable freedom, the Chevalier de
Montluc endeavcred by stern
look to command that respect